Saturday, 10 September 2011

Grounded

My flight was at 3.15 and that's when the fog came in so it was no trip to North Ronaldsay for me this weekend, darn!

Surprisingly for such a dank, damp day raptors have been a highlight with two Hen Harriers, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel around the house and two other Kestrels and a Hen Harrier seen on my various trips to Kirkwall and out to Birsay.

The late afternoon compensatory trip to Birsay produced a few waders on the beach, including a Barwit, a Sanderling and 74 Ringed Plovers. There were very few passerines however, a likely White Wag being the highlight. The only passerine of note today has been the Tree Sparrow, which although a little more elusive, continues to frequent the feeders in the garden on occasion.

 The Brough at dusk (last weekend)

 Barley by Nisthouse

 Mepits from the drop last Tuesday

 Unknown micro

 Pink-barred Sallow

2 comments:

AndyC said...

it may be acleris sparsana..Hope you get a few Yanks this autumn.All the best

Alastair said...

Hi Andy,

Thank you, yes that looks possible, I'm not sure that species has been recorded here previously but there are records for northern Scotland.

Birds have been very quiet here this autumn, North Ron the only place that's had anything. Time for a good y methinks.